Beneath The Same Star

THE BOY NEXT DOOR

# Chapter 1: The Boy Next Door

It was the kind of morning that hinted at adventure, sunlight filtering through the curtains of my room, dancing playfully across the walls. I blinked against the brightness, the chirping of birds pulling me from the embrace of sleep. Today was just another day, yet it felt different, tinged with an unexplainable excitement.

“Nova! Breakfast is ready!” my grandmother called from the kitchen, her voice warm and comforting. She had raised me since my parents passed away, filling my life with stories, love, and an occasional batch of cookies that always managed to lift my spirits. I threw off the covers, swung my legs over the side of the bed, and stood up.

As I got ready, I glanced out my bedroom window at the familiar scene across the street: Ryker’s house. He had lived next door for as long as I could remember, a constant in my life who, despite being an infuriating neighbor, was also a source of countless memories—mostly of the frustrating kind.

Ryker was everything you’d imagine a popular boy to be. At nineteen, he was charming, with tousled dark hair that seemed to have a mind of its own and piercing blue eyes that drew people in. He was tall, athletic, and had that effortless charisma that made heads turn. Girls fell over themselves for a chance to be near him, while he nonchalantly dated one after another, breaking hearts with a smile. I often wondered how someone could be so oblivious to the chaos he created.

“Nova!” My grandmother’s voice broke through my thoughts again. I hurried downstairs, the smell of pancakes and bacon wafting through the air.

“Morning!” I greeted her with a smile as I slid into my seat at the table.

“Ryker’s family is coming over for dinner tonight,” she mentioned casually, flipping a pancake with the grace of someone who had perfected the art over decades.

I felt my stomach twist. “Oh, great,” I replied, forcing a smile. It wasn’t that I disliked Ryker’s family; they were kind and welcoming. It was just that Ryker himself always had a way of getting under my skin, even as a child.

I had grown up with him, our childhood marked by playful arguments and teasing. He was always there, irritating me at every turn, from stealing my toys to throwing mud at my freshly washed clothes. Yet, there was a connection that ran deeper than annoyance.

After breakfast, I settled into my routine of studying, my thoughts drifting back to Ryker. I recalled how his presence had changed since he started college. His world had expanded, filled with parties, new friends, and an ever-growing list of romantic conquests. It was as if he had transformed overnight into a local legend, and I was still just his childhood neighbor.

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Later that evening, I found myself in my favorite spot on the porch, the sun setting in vibrant hues. It was my quiet retreat, a place where I could think and observe the world. Just then, Ryker’s car pulled into the driveway next door, and my heart raced involuntarily. He stepped out, laughter trailing behind him as he chatted with his friends.

“Hey, Nova!” he called, catching me off guard. I shot him a look, a mix of annoyance and disbelief. He had that infuriating smile plastered on his face, the one that had charmed countless girls.

“What do you want, Ryker?” I shot back, trying to sound disinterested.

He walked over, hands shoved into his pockets. “Just thought I’d say hi to my favorite neighbor,” he replied, his tone playful.

I rolled my eyes. “You mean the only neighbor you’ve ever known.”

He laughed, a sound that always managed to get under my skin, yet somehow warmed my heart. “Fair enough. But seriously, how’s it going? You ready for dinner tonight?”